Citizens speak up at Upstate redistricting hearing (AUDIO)

A public hearing on redistricting was held before a full house at the Greenville County council chambers last night. The hearing was put hosted by a special panel of the state Senate Judiciary Committee. Throughout the night, Upstate residents voiced their concerns, including:

Scott Crosby of Mauldin says the new 7th congressional district should be in the Upstate.

Upstate resident Perry Simpson says in the state Legislature each county should have its own senator.

Ester Wagner helped with the Census count in the past. She says she doesn’t trust the numbers.

State representative Chandra Dillard says those working to draw the new district lines should be innovative in order to make sure that all people have fair representation.

Four of the seven members of the Senate subcommittee were present: Larry Martin(R-Pickens); Robert Ford (D- Charleston); Phil Shoopman (R-Greenville); and Gerald Malloy (D-Darlington). The committee will be holding four more hearings next week in Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Florence and Charleston.